FRIENDS OF CUNY

CUNY SUPPORTERS UNITE!

The Friends of CUNY, a newly named offshoot organization of the Committee of Public Higher Education, today announced its launching to defend and advance the mission of the City University of New York, while at the same time supporting the improvement of its academic practices.

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown Jr., former President of the Bronx Community College, and one of the four co-chairs of The Friends of CUNY, said the new organization is necessary because of the insidious assaults that continue against CUNY. "It is time to correct the misinformation and unfounded criticisms that the Mayor and his appointees continue to peddle in their cynical attacks against CUNY."

The Friends of CUNY brings together a wide variety of people who are dedicated to the advancement of CUNY, including faculty, students, alumni, educators (both public and private), business leaders and labor unions. The co-chairs include Julius C.C. Edelstein, Senior Vice Chancellor Emeritus of Hunter College; Stanley H. Lowell, former Deputy Mayor ; Dr. Shirley Mow, former coordinator of Westchester Partnership for Education and Dr. Brown.

In announcing the re-formation of The Friends of CUNY, Dr. Brown said the group will advocate responsible changes at the University that will not undermine its historic mission. "Contrary to what the Mayor keeps saying , CUNY has an outstanding success record, with 11 Nobel Prize winners and the second highest number of business and CEO’s as graduates. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have been able to lead productive , prosperous lives because of the education they received at CUNY. To destroy CUNY is to destroy New York. We will not let this happen."

The Friends of CUNY is an organization in formation which includes, among its members the following individuals:

Co-chairs
Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr.
Julius C.C. Edelstein
Stanley H. Lowell, Esq.
Dr. Shirley L. Mow

Secretary
Dr. Sandi E. Cooper

Deputy Secretary
Dr. Kenneth S. Sherrill

Treasurer
Dr. Jeffrey Kroessler

Friends Of CUNY Members
Ms. Joyce Phillips Austin
Ms. Helen Birenbaum
Dr. Frank Bonilla
Dr. Richard Boris
Dr. Stephen Brier
Dr. Walter Goldstein
Mr. Rob Hollander
Dr. Michael Kahan
Dr. John W. Kneller
Dr. Frederick S. Lane
Hon. Franz S. Leichter
Dr. James A. Malone
Dr. Cecelia McCall
Hon. Ruth Messinger
Mr. Jose Peralta
Dr. Irwin H. Polishook
Dr. Sumner M. Rosen
Mr. Edward L. Sadowsky
Dr. Joshua L. Smith
Dr. Bernard Sohmer
Dr. Richard C. Wade